CITIZENS EQUALLY TO BLAME FOR CURRENT LEADERSHIP CRISIS

A culture of mediocrity in leadership has gradually but surely sunk into the Kenyan economic space and we now feel the pinch.

It has finally dawned on us or rather, those who were quiet now are starting to speak up on inefficiencies that abound in government. And unfortunately this time, President Uhuru’s spin doctors have run out of stunts.

What is economic growth when wananchi cannot afford basic commodities? The economy seems to favour a few, with graft at its peak. Education issues are being conducted in a carefree manner. Recently the media was under the threat of being gagged. Kenyans are becoming restless and unless the trend changes, we could be headed for disaster.

However, rather than point fingers at the government and politicians, the electorate should lead in restoring the country to sanity. The buck no longer stops with the President and his government but we the citizenry.

We have contributed to the sorry situation by sitting on the sidelines as looters have a field day. We have forfeited our responsibility and must be held accountable.

It is time that we exercise people’s power in our communities, organisations and by far and large through the people we elect to power. Citizenship, not leadership, is the concept that we more urgently need to examine. Wananchi should bar the government from making excuses for failure.

“We cannot afford to sleep only to wake up in 2018 to complain about the same rot in leadership we are experiencing now”

We should not complain from the comfort of their sitting rooms with earphones or laptops on while the country sinks. Each and every one of us is a leader in their own right— as a manager, father or civil servant. We need to seek ways to straighten the existing wrongs in our society.

Our silence on bad leadership is what has led to the failure to produce a Kenyan brand from the millions of tonnes of raw material Kenya exports abroad. What is the role of the Opposition? To shout when it fails to eat too?

The welfare of a people in any given geographical space is tied to the quality of elected leaders. But more importantly is the fact that the effectiveness of those who govern is directly determined by the willingness and ability of the people to hold them accountable.

The willingness to be involved by actively participating, directly or indirectly, in governance is at the very heart of citizenship; this is our role. The next electioneering period is not far and it will require active and involved citizens refusing to elect and tolerate mediocrity but instead vote in the best men and women to represent their affairs in public offices.

Months leading to the next general election will be a great test not only to leadership, but also to citizenry. We cannot afford to sleep only to wake up in 2018 to complain about the same rot in leadership we are experiencing now. We must remain vigilant.

It is my firm belief that Kenya will be great, but it will take personal and collective leadership to achieve its rightful status.